Tannin-Rich Plants as Natural Manipulators of Rumen Fermentation in the Livestock Industry

Abstract

Condensed tannins (CTs) are plant anti-herbivore compounds with antimicrobial activity that can be used in ruminant diets as ruminal microbiome manipulators. However, not all CTs from fodder legumes are bioactive due to their wide structural diversity. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of 10 CT-containing plants (Flemingia macrophylla, Leucaena leucocephala, Stylosanthes guianensis, Gliricidia sepium, Cratylia argentea, Cajanus cajan, Desmodium ovalifolium, Macrotiloma axilare, D. paniculatum, and Lespedeza procumbens) on in vitro fermentation kinetics of Nelore beef cattle. Polyethylene glycol (PEG), a specific CT-binding agent, was added to neutralize condensed tannin. Tifton and alfalfa hay were used as controls lacking CT. The experimental layout included a randomized complete block with factorial design and four blocks. The data were subjected to analysis of variance followed by Duncan’s test to determine differences (p < 0.05) among treatment means. The addition of PEG in browse incubations resulted in increased gas production, fermentation rate, short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) and N-NH3 release. Within our study, Lespedeza procumbens, Desmodium paniculatum, Leucaena leucocephala, Desmodium ovalifolium, and Flemingia macrophylla showed superior bioactivity compared to other species evaluated, suggesting a natural alternative for replacing ionophores to modify ruminal fermentation. Condensed tannins from L. pocumbens, D. paniculatum, L. leucocephala, D. ovalifolium, and F. macrophylla have the potential to modify rumen fermentation in beef cattle.

By-Products of Agri-Food Industry as Tannin-Rich Sources: A Review of Tannins’ Biological Activities and Their Potential for Valorization

“…Among the range of legumes, Lespedeza procumbens , Desmodium paniculatum , Leucaena leucocephala , D. ovalifolium and Flemingia macrophylla possess a relatively high content of CTs. They have been suggested to modify rumen fermentation in beef cattle, probably due to the presence of tannins, so they may act similarly in animals by complexing proteins and short-chain fatty acids, which may provide a prebiotic effect, as stated [ 100 ]. Tannins have exhibited similar antidiarrheal results in cattle as those mentioned in humans.…”

Response to Climate Change: Evaluation of Methane Emissions in Northern Australian Beef Cattle on a High Quality Diet Supplemented with Desmanthus Using Open-Circuit Respiration Chambers and GreenFeed Emission Monitoring Systems

“…Enteric methane (CH 4 ) produced in the gastrointestinal tract of livestock is the single largest source of anthropogenic CH 4 [ 2 ]. In tropical and subtropical environments such as northern Australia, the poorly digestible pastures with high C:N ratios induce low livestock productivity and increase rumen CH 4 emissions [ 3 , 4 ]. Previous in vitro [ 5 , 6 ] and in vivo [ 7 ] studies showed a decrease in CH 4 emissions due to dietary supplementation with Desmanthus , a tropical forage legume.…”

Traditional Applications of Tannin Rich Extracts Supported by Scientific Data: Chemical Composition, Bioavailability and Bioaccessibility

“…Finally, few different legume species, including L. corniculatus , L. pedunculatus , Lespedeza sp., Leucaena sp., D. ovalifolium , Gliricidia sepium , Manihot esculenta , Arachis pintoi or Medicago sativa L., have been repeatedly described to possess high amounts of CT. However, the relative information of the chemical profile of these molecules is not easily accessible [ 7 , 163 , 164 , 165 , 166 ]. Nevertheless, we have compiled the chemical profile data relative to the genus Lotus to provide an example of this family of legumes with traditional applications for veterinarian aims mainly.…”